Chargers RB Austin Ekeler eager to prove himself again in 2018

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler was one of the more pleasant surprises for the team in 2017. After being undrafted coming out of Western State Colorado University, Ekeler had a lot to prove to the coaching staff, and he did just that in his phenomenal rookie campaign. The Colorado native knows what his expectations are heading into the 2018 season and what is on the line.

“You can never relax in this league! Never! It is the coaches’ job to find better players to come in and replace us. They want to get the best players. So, it’s my job as a player to keep my spot. I’m absolutely out here as a player to prove myself again. I have played (well), and that is an advantage, but that doesn’t mean anything now. That was last year. This is a new year,” Ekeler said, per the Chargers’ official website.

After serving as the team’s No. 2 ball carrier behind Melvin Gordon, Ekeler knows that there will be more competition with the addition of RB Justin Jackson who was L.A.’s seventh-round selection. Despite there being another body to compete in the backfield, Ekeler sounds really motivated by his comments and will work to retain his spot on the depth chart.

Ekeler’s stats show his high production in just 14 games in 2017. He contributed 539 total yards on 74 carries with five touchdowns. That equates out to just over seven yards per touch. For any player, that number would be considered great, but for an undrafted rookie, it is even better.